^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


k 


A 


1.0 


1.1 


1^121    |2.5 

1*0  "^^     MHB 

•^  Bi2    112.2 


11.25  HI  1.4 


I 


1.6 


5" 


w 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WnSTIR.N.Y.  MSM 

(716)«73-4S03 


4^ 


%0 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microraproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraprodiTctions  historiquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notaa  tachniquet  at  bibliographiquas 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  beat 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Feature*  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


r~71    Coloured  covers/ 

I  ^1    Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Couverture  endommagie 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculto 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 


□   Coloured  init  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avAc  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  inttrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film6es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires; 


L'institut  a  microfiimA  le  mellleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  4tA  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
li^e  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquts  ci-dessous. 


I     I   Coloured  pages/ 


D 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  fiimi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagtes 


□   Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  peliiculAes 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dAcolor^es.  tacheties  ou  piquAes 


r~~|    Pages  detached/ 


Pages  d^tach^es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prin 

Qualit^  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materit 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplAmcntaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seuie  Mition  disponibie 


Th 
to 


Th 
pot 
of 
filr 


Or 
be 
th( 
sio 
oti 
fin 
•io 
or 


rri  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I     I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I     I  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totaiement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure. 
etc..  ont  6t6  filmtos  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Th< 
shi 

Tm 

wh 

Ma 
difl 
ont 
be^ 
rig» 
reqi 
met 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

1 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X                            32X 

Tlw  copy  filmMl  hara  h««  b—n  r«produc«d  thanks 
to  tho  gonorosity  of: 

UniMrtity  of  British  Columbia  Library 


L'oxomplair*  film*  fut  raproduit  grAca  i  la 
g*n4roaltA  da: 

Univariity  of  British  Columbia  Library 


Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
posalbia  consMarlng  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacifications. 


Original  capiat  in  printed  papar  covart  ara  filmad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impraa- 
aion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriate.  All 
othar  original  capias  ara  filmad  beginning  on  the 
first  paga  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  eech  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -i^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Meps,  pistes,  cherts,  etc.,  may  be  f<:  -led  et 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  lerge  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  es  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diegrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Lea  images  suiventes  ont  4t*  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nattet*  de  I'exempleire  film*,  et  en 
conformiti  avac  las  conditione  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Lea  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimte  sent  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernMre  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  an  commanpant  par  la 
pramlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
darnlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  »»•  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fiimAs  A  des  taux  da  reduction  diff«rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  en  un  ssul  clich«,  il  est  film*  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imagas  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

)k^ 


;:-HjLyi 


TLED  ; 
XH 


.    i 


WHOI 


\      DA] 


THE 

•  V  '         '      - 

TEBSIBLE  DEEDS 


.  i 


OF 


(jEOE&l  L  SHIFTESBIIET, 

WHO  kules  his  own  mothee  akd  sister, 

PLED  I'ROM  JUSTICE  BY  LBAPiNO  FROM  THE  PALISADES,  SWIMMINa 
XHB  HUDSON  KIVER,  AND  TAKING  REFUGE  IN  Nn.,?  YORK  CITY, 

WH%RE  HE  WAS  JOINED  BY  THE 

FEMALE  MURDERER,  MARIE  LAYINE 


f7% 


EXECUTION  OF  O.  L.  SRAFTESBURY  AND  MISS    LAVINE. 

WHOM  HE  DETECTED  IN  THE  ACT  OF  DRAGGING  TO  THE  RIVER  THE   BODY  OF  A  MAN 

WHOM   SHE  HAD  Ml'ROEREO  IN  ONE  OF  THE  DENS  ON  WALNl'T  STREET,  IN 

THAT  city;    and  TIIET,  AFTER  PASSING  THROi:fiH  THE  MOST 

DABE  AND  UNPARALLELED  CAREER  OF  CRIME, 

WERE  FINALLY 

BOTH  EXECUTED  IN  QUEBEC,  JUNE  7,  1850. 

FOR  tRK 

MURDER  OF  LORD  AMEL  AND  FAMILY. 
By  J.  ELLIOEN,  Queen's  Attorney. 


4  m^m  » 


t  ST.  LOUIS,  MO.: 

rUBLISIIED  BY  K  E.  BARCLAY  &  H.  M.  RULISON. 


1851. 


•■*<4»s 


:.-% 


t* 


# 


•*  ^^iS*ggi*  ,-i^-.'lik^^  i*^: 


..». 


I 


THE 


TERRIBLE    DEEDS 


or 


s 

M 
P 

m 

II 

8*- 
>| 

il 

ID     w 

2  3 

c  < 
"  t. 

51 
2* 

is 

H 

>■  J" 

M   > 

&s 
-I 

X  K 

o  >: 

a 


^y 


It 


a 
',3 


i 


GEORGE  L.  SHAFTESBURY, 

WHO  KILLED  HIS  OWN  MOTHER  AND  SISTEH,  v 

FLBD  FROM  JUSTICE  BY  LEAPING  FROM  THE  PALISADES,  SWIMMING 
THE  HUDSON  RIVER,  AND^AKING  REFUGE  IN  NEW  YORK  CITY, 


WHERE  HE  WAS  JOINEP  BY  THK 


FEMALE   MURDERER! 

WHOM  HE  DETEnTEn  IN  THE  ACT  OF  DRAGOINO  TO  THK  RIVER  THR   ROnT  OF  A  MAR 

WHOM   SHE  HAD  Mt'KUEIIF.D  IN  ONE  OF  THE  PENS  ON  WALNUT  STREET,  IN 

THAT  CITV  ;  jAND  THEV,  AFTER  PA8SINO  TIIROUaH  THE  MOST 

La- 

DARK  AND  UNPARALLELED  CAREER  OF  CRIME, 

WERE  FINALLY 

BOTH  EXECUTED  IN  QUEBEC,  JUNE  7,  1850. 

FOR  TUB 

MURDER  OF  LORD  AMEL  AND  FAMILY. 


By  J.  ELLIOEN,  Queen's  Attorney. 


ST.  LOUIS,  MO.: 

PUBLISHED  BY  E.  E.  BARCLAY  &  H.  M.  RULISON. 
1861. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1851, 

BY  E.   K.   BARCLAY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 


* 


CAREER  OF  CRIME 


ov 


GEORGE  LAMPANAS  SHAFTESBURY, 


AND  BIS  FEMALE  AOOOMFUCB 


MARIE    LAVINE. 


George  Lampanas  SnAFTEsnuRY,  one  of  the  subjects  of  the  fol- 
lowing narrative,  was  born  of  English  parents,  and  on  the  day  on 
which  those  parents  embarked  from  their  native  land,  which  was  on 
the  fourth  of  July,  might  be  seen  standing  out  from  the  port  of  Li- 
verpool a  vessel  whose  ensign — the  star-spangled  banner — floating 
gracefully  from  the  main  top,  denoted  her  as  belonging  to  the 
United  States  of  America.  The  beating  of  the  drum,  and  the  soul- 
stirring  fife,  as  the  sound  fell  upon  the  wave,  told  the  tale,  that 
even  there,  on  that  distant  sea,  near  the  coast  of  the  ancient  enemy, 
the  anniversary  of  American  Independence  was  not  forgo'tten. 
The  crowd  on  shore,  also,  gazing  after  the  departing  vessel,  seemed 
to  say,  that  there  were  those  on  board  who  were  dear  to  the  hearts 
of  those  remaining  on  the  land, — and  as  they  listened  to  the  music, 
wafted  by  the  gentle  breeze  from  the  deck  of  the  vessel,  it  seemed 
as  though  they  were  riveted  to  the  spot.  The  splendid  equipage, 
also,  and  the  servants  in  livery,  indicated  that  those  who  had  bid 
adieu  to  their  friends,  and  were  now  on  their  way  to  the  trans- 
atlantic world,  belonged  to  the  upper  ton. 

The  indiWduals  on  whose  account  this  crowd  was  gathered,  and 
who  were  being  wafted  from  their  native  homes,  were  no  lees  per- 
sonages than  Lord  and  Lady  Shaftsbury. 


■'  f 


10 


CAUKEIl  OF  CHIME  OP 


For  n  long  time  tho  crowd  continued  to  gaze  after  tlic  vessel  ag 
she  stood  gnicofully  out  towards  tho  Island  of  Anglcsea.  The 
shades  of  night,  however,  fell  upon  tho  wave,  and  tho  stately  ship 
was  lost  to  tho  sense  of  vision.  The  sound  of  tho  brass  drum,  as  it 
fell  upon  the  car  iit  intervals,  was  all  that  was  now  left  to  give  evi- 
dence that  all  was  well.  At  length  even  that  ceased  to  be  heard, 
and  then  tho  separation  of  friends  was  complete. 

Lord  and  Ijaily  Shaftesbury  had  from  their  infancy  up  to  the  pre- 
sent time  resided  in  England,  except  as  business  or  pleasure  led 
them  by  times  to  travel  on  the  continent.  They  had  lived  under 
the  patronage  of  royalty,  but,  weighed  down  with  sorrow  at  the 
oppression  of  the  people,  they  had  concluded  to  resign  tho  title 
which  tlieir  country  gave  them,  and  to  adopt  tho  Republic  of  the 
West  as  their  future!  home. 

Gkoiwk  Lami'ANAs  was  born  of  tho  parents  above-mentioned. 
There  are  circumstances  attending  the  career  of  this  man,  ■which, 
according  to  bis  own  account,  partake  somewhat  of  tho  nature  of 
the  marvellous.  We  feel  bound,  however,  as  a  true  recorder  of 
events,  to  state  the  occurrences  precisely  as  they  were  given  to  us 
by  bim,  without  exaggeration,  and  then  leave  them  to  the  reflec- 
tions of  the  reader. 

The  ship  in  which  they  embarked  from  Liverpool  was  tho  Ade- 
laide, of  New  York,  bound  to  the  latter  port  with  a  cargo  of  mer- 
chandise. 

Mr.  Shaftesbury,  after  his  arrival  at  New  York,  as  a  matter  of 
course  dropped  bis  title,  and  enrolled  himself  among  the  citizen^  of 
tJie  country.  Ilis  first  object  after  the  arrival  was  to  select  some 
location  as  a  permanent  place  of  residence.  lie  finally  chose  a 
spot  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson,  a  few  miles  above  the  city 
of  New  York.  To  this  spot,  after  suitable  preparation,  he  retired 
with  his  wife  and  son. 

ITie  inciilcnts  occurring  between  the  time  of  the  location  on  the 
Hudson,  and  tlie  school-boy  days  of  George  Lampanas,  not  being 
of  any  great  moment  when  connected  with  his  subsequent  notorious 
career,  for  the  sake  of  brevity,  we  shall  pass  without  notice. 

When  Cu'orge  had  arrived  at  the  age  of  six  years,  Mr.  Shaftes- 
bury employed  a  teaclior  to  superintend  tho  education  of  his  son, 
and  for  tho  accommodation  of  his  neighbours  he  recciv^l  their  chil- 
dren into  his  house  as  day  scholars  —  to  bo  educated  in  con- 
nexion with  his  own.     It  was  now  that  the  evil  disposition  of  George 


< 


GEORGE  L.  SnAFTESBURY  A!TD  MARIE  LWIWB. 


11 


Lampanas  Shaftesbury  boj:;an  to  manifest  itself.  Ilavin^^  hitlierto 
l)oen  indulged  in  all  his  foibles,  merely  because  there  had  been  no 
necessity  for  putting  him  under  restraint,  ho  could  not  brook  the 
regulations  of  the  school,  and  he  showed  an  absolute  disposition  to 
rebel  against  all  discipline,  as  though  it  were  a  matter  of  tyranny. 
He  not  only  rebelled  against  the  discipline  of  the  school,  but  in  all 
his  intercourse  with  his  playmates  ho  demanded  absolute  obe- 
dience. 

The  self-will  of  George  Lampanas  at  length  manifested  itself  so 
strongly  that  the  people  of  the  vicinity  were  compelled  to  withdraw 
their  children  from  the  school 

Mr.  Shaftesbury,  with  pain  and  anxiety  saw  the  evil  propensity 
of  his  son,  and  endeavoured,  by  every  means  in  his  power,  to  soften 
his  disposition.  Ilia  teacher  was  dismissed  and  another  procured, 
under  the  impression  that  a  change  might  prove  beneficial.  The 
neighbours  were  again  solicited  to  send  their  children,  in  order  that 
George  might  have  companionship. 

The  school  was  again  established,  but  matters  did  not  assume  a 
more  pleasing  aspect.  George  sought  every  opportunity  to  play 
off  his  tricks  upon  his  fellows,  and  even  the  teacher  did  not  escape 
him. 

On  one  occasion,  when  the  more  advanced  of  the  pupils,  in  com- 
pany with  the  teacher,  were  making  a  geological  survey  of  the  pa- 
lisade bank  of  the  Hudson,  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  their  ope- 
rations, they  made  use  of  a  rope  fastened  to  a  staff  above,  that  they 
might  be  enabled  to  maintain  a  foot-hold  below  the  brink  of  the 
precipice:  George  watched  his  opportunity,  and  when  several  of 
them  were  engaged  in  this  way,  he  slipped  the  rope  from  the  staff, 
and  precipitated  them  into  the  river  below.  The  result  was,  that 
one  got  a  fractured  arm,  and  another  a  fractured  leg,  besides  being 
exposed  to  the  danger  of  drowning. 

Years  passed  on  without  any  apparent  improvement  in  tlio  dispo« 
sition  and  habits  of  George  Lampanas.  His  father,  finding  that 
his  son  was  not  fitted  for  any  of  the  finer  occupations  of  life,  con- 
cluded to  give  him  a  chance  in  the  military  profession.  lie  there- 
fore sought  and  obtained  a  situation  for  him  at  West  Point. 

For  a  time  young  George  seemed  pleased  with  this  situation,  and 
his  father  had  strong  hopes  that  he  would  yet  become  a  useful 
member  of  society.  But,  alas !  he  was  doomed  to  a  bitter  disap- 
pointment.   With  the  love  of  military  life  came  an  increased  thirst 


12 


CAREER  Oi  CRIME  OF 


for  pleasure, — and  a  desire  to  be  considered  the  most  generous  of 
his  associates  induced  him  to  make  heavy  drafts  upon  his  pa- 
rent. When  these  drafts  were  not  immediately  complied  with, 
he  was  accustomed  to  indulge  in  the  most  abusive  language,  and 
threats  were  not  at  all  uncommon. 

The  society,  also,  of  the  young  man  was  not  the  most  unexcep* 
tionable.  He  had  become  accustomed  to  the  gaming  table,  and 
houses  of  ill  fame  were  his  frequent  resort.  He  quaflFed  the  spark- 
ling cup,  and  whiffed  the  prime  Havana.  His  speech  was  seldom 
considered  as  finished,  unless  polished  by  an  oath. 

Although  the  youth  indulged  in  all  sorts  of  profanation,  he  was 
mild  in  his  appearance,  approaching  to  effeminancy.  His  stature 
was  small, — as  yet,  also, 

"  Smooth  as  Hebe's,  his  unrazored  lips.  , 

Mr.  Shaftesbury  saw  with  pain"  and  mortification,  the  evil  courses 
of  his  son.  He  at  length  considered  it  to  bo  his  imperative  duty  to 
check  his  career,  let  the  results  be  what  they  might.  He,  there- 
fore, on  the  first  subsequent  interview  which  he  had  with  his  son, 
informed  him  that  for  the  future  his  allowance  would  be  limited  to 
one  thousand  dollars  per  annum,  and  that  he  should  receive  his  re- 
mittance monthly. 

The  young  man  at  the  time  of  announcement  made  no  objection 
to  this  arrangement,  but  when  he  subsequently  found  that  his  fa- 
ther was  firn^  in  his  determination,  his  anger  knew  no  bounds. 

After  mucli  cogitation  and  reflection,  he  finally  concluded  to  ex- 
ercise his  military  calling  on  the  members  of  his  own  family.  In 
order  to  make  things  more  sure,  and  to  prtvent  the  possibility  of 
giving  alarm,  he  took  the  precaution  to  provide  himself  with  a 
quantity  of  chloroform.  Being  intimately  acquainted  with  all  the 
arrangements  about  his  father's  house,  he  had  formed  the  plan  of 
entering  the  mansion  after  the  family  had  retired  to  rest,  and 
while  they  were  locked  in  the  soundness  of  sleep,  to  murder  them 
each  successively. 

The  plan  being  matured,  and  all  the  necessary  preparations 
made,  he  proceeded  to  put  his  diabolical  scheme  into  execution. 

Intent  upon  the  fulfilment  of  his  purpose,  ho  left  West  Point  on 
the  night  of  the  25th  of  September,  1846.  As  if  to  favour  his  de- 
sign, the  sky  was  overcast  with  clouds,  and  a  thick  fog  covered  tho 
face  of  the  country. 


..f 


QEORQE  L.  SHAFTESBUKY  AND  MARIE  LA  VINE. 


15 


O 

u 
oa 


Ho  cautiously  entered  the  house,  and  having  ascertained  that  all 
was  still,  he  proceeded  first  to  the  chamber  of  his  sister.  With  a 
stealthy  step  he  entered  the  apartment.  He  listened  a  moment, 
and  her  heavy  breathing  told  him  that  she  slept.  He  approached 
her  bed,  turned  aside  the  curtain,  and  the  flickering  light  from  his 
dark  lantern  fell  across  her  face.  The  swollen  appearance  of  her 
eyes  gave  evidence  that  she  had  been  Aveeping.  Her  stifled  sobs, 
also,  as  she  slept,  indicated  that  she  was  not  a  stranger  to  sorrow. 
Involuntarily  she  pronounced  the  name  of  the  being  who  was  gazing 
upon  her.  Often,  although  she  had  not  yet  attained  to  the  age  of 
womanhood,  had  she  remonstrated  with  her  brother  on  the  evils  of 
his  way — and  it  was  no  doubt  on  his  account  her  present  slumber 
was  disturbed  by  unpleasant  dreams.  Little  did  she  suppose,  how- 
ever, that  that  brother,  on  whose  account  she  evinced  so  much 
anxiety,  was  then  standing  over  her,  about  to  separate  the  mortal 
from  the  immortal  part. 

What  brother,  gazing  upon  an  only  sister,  and  that  sister  sweet 
and  lovely,  lying  with  her  auburn  ringlets  scattered  in  neglect,  and 
having  wept  herself  to  sleep  in  prayer  for  him,  would  not  have  ex- 
hibited some  sign  of  emotion? — and  yet  the  demon  smile  was  all 
that  sat  upon  the  countenance  of  that  fiend  in  human  shape,  George 
Lampanas.  Calmly  and  deliberately  he  applied  the  stupefying 
drug.  She  inhaled  the  deadly  odour,  and  the  powers  of  sense  and 
motion  were  lost.  The  bowie  knife  was  then  drawn  from  its  hiding- 
place,  and  the  jugular  veins  and  carotid  arteries  were  deliberately 
separated,  or  cut  asunder, — and  the  spirit  of  Susan  Shaftesbury  was 
insensibly  and  unceremoniously  dismissed  from  its  earthly  tene- 
ment. 

The  murderer  next  proceeded  to  the  room  occupied  by  his  parents. 
The  door  was  cautiously  opened,  and  making  sure  that  they  also 
slept,  he  entered.  The  drug  was  first  submitted  to  be  inhaled  by 
his  mother,  and  then  the  bowie  knife  again  brought  into  requisi- 
tion,— the  "nice  young  man"  complimenting  himself  upon  his  gal- 
lantry in  giving  the  lady  the  preference,  and  in  waiting  upon  her 
first. 

Having  disposed  of  his  "second  customer,"  as  he  expressed  him- 
self, ho  next  prepared  to  operate  upon  him  whom  he  technically 
termed  the  "Old  Cock  of  the  Walk."  But,  unluckily  for  himself, 
as  he  was  about  to  commence  operations,  a  gust  from  without  closed 
with  violence  a  window  shutter  of  the  bed  room.    The  old  man  was 


16 


CAREER  OF  CRIME  OF 


awakened  by  the  sound,  and  the  faint  light  from  the  dark  lanteru 
instantly  told  him  that  all  was  not  right.  Quick  as  thought  he 
sprang  from  the  bed  and  seized  the  bell  pull.  The  young  man 
made  a  lunge  at  his  father  with  his  bowie,  which  the  old  gentleman 
successfully  parried,  and  the  shout  of  murder  instantly  followed. 

The  servants  had  been  already  alarmed  at  the  ringing  of  the 
bell,  and  hearing  the  cry  and  the  noise  in  the  old  man's  sleeping 
room,  they  unceremoniously  rushed  into  the  apartment. 

Young  Shaftesbury,  finding  himself  likely  to  be  overpowered,  made 
a  precipitate  retreat.  He  was  closely  followed  by  the  servants, 
and  being  hard  pressed,  he  made  directly  for  the  river.  He  threw 
himself  down  the  palisades,  and,  fortunately  for  him,  he  escaped 
uninjured.  Leander  swam  the  Hellespont  for  love,  thought  he, 
and  I  will  try  the  Hudson  for  life, — so  saying,  he  plunged  into  the 
river.  Boats  were  immediately  shoved  out,  and  although  the  night 
was  dark,  his  pursuers  were  enabled  to  follow  him,  and  they  over- 
took him  near  the  middle  of  the  river.  After  coming  up  with  him 
he  apparently  sank.  They  searched  awhile,  and  being  unable  to 
see  him  again,  they  concluded  he  must  have  drowned.  They  there- 
fore returned  to  the  mansion.     But  what  a  sight  was  there ! 

Mr.  Shaftesbury,  immediately  on  the  flight  of  his  son,  examined 
the  apartment,  and  the  condition  of  his  wife  was  discovered.  On 
examination  he  found  that  the  veins  and  arteries  of  the  neck  were 
severed,  and  that  life  was,  or  soon  would  be,  extinct.  He  next  re- 
paired to  his  daughter's  chamber,  in  order  to  summon  her  atten- 
dance,— but,  judge  of  his  horror,  when  ho  discovered  that  she  too 
had  been  the  subject  of  the  assassin. 

Petrified  with  astonishment,  he  sank  down  for  the  moment  on  the 
nearest  apology  for  a  seat.  He  remained  for  some  time  in  silence, 
with  his  face  covered  with  his  hands.  At  length  a  flood  of  tears 
came  to  hi^  relief.  He  then  groaned  in  agony.  He  had  lost  his 
family  at  a  blow,  and  that  blow  had  come  from  the  hand  of  one 
who  should  have  been  the  foremost  to  protect  them. 

When  the  ,  -irvants  returned,  he  pointed  to  his  daughter's  cham- 
ber and  wept  aloud. 

Busied  in  attending  to  the  funeral  duties  of  the  murdered  family, 
the  further  pursuit  of  young  Shaftesbury  was  for  the  present  sus- 
pended. Meanwhile,  he  had  not  sunk,  as  his  pursuers  supposed, 
but  had  dove  beneath  the  water  to  elude  pursuit.  Having  gained 
the  opposite  shore,  he  made  the  best  of  his  way  to  New  York. 


QBORGB  L.  SHAFTESBURY  AND  MARIE  LA  VINE. 


17 


^' 


(M 


Being  arrived  there,  ho  scarcely  knew  whither  to  bend  hia  steps, 
as  he  felt  confident  that  the  officers  of  justice  would  soon  be  on  his 
trail. 

Undecided  aa  to  what  he  should  do,  he  strolled  about  town  until 
he  found  himself  at  the  foot  of  Walnut  Street.  It  is  presumed 
that  his  natural  propensities  led  him  to  that  part  of  the  city :  Wal- 
nut Street,  commonly  called  "The  Hook,"  being  one  of  the  chief 
places  of  resort  for  women  of  ill-fame. 

Here  George  Lampanas  Shaftesbury  lounged  until  the  following 
night.  Having  spent  the  former  part  of  the  night  in  carousing 
with  the  inmates  of  one  of  the  brothels,  he  made  his  exit  about  half 
past  twelve  o'clock,  with  the  design  of  secretly  leaving  the  city. 
As  he  approached  the  wharf  by  one  of  the  narrow  streets  in  that 
section,  he  discovered  a  female  occasionally  peering  forth  from  one 
of  the  dark  dens,  looking  up  and  down  the  street,  as  if  anxiously 
watching  the  time  when  all  should  be  quiet.  Lampanas  determined 
to  watch  her  movements.  He  therefore  stepped  into  the  shade  of 
an  alley,  where  he  could  remain  perfectly  unobserved.  After  re- 
maining in  this  position  about  an  hour,  ho  perceived  the  female 
drag  something  from  the  door,  and  make  her  way  towards  the 
wharf.  Lampanas  passed  through  the  alley  to  the  next  street,  and 
came  round  so  as  to  meet  her  at  the  corner  of  the  lower  block.  As 
they  met  the  female  let  go  her  charge,  and  made  an  attempt  at 
flight.  Lampanas  was  too  quick  for  her,  and  catching  her  by  the 
dress,  detained  her.  After  he  had  secured  her  he  gave  her  assu- 
rance that  he  intended  no  harm,  and  her  struggles  ceased. 

An  explanation  then  followed  as  to  what  she  intended  to  do  with 
the  body — for  it  was  nothing  else  than  a  human  body  that  she  was 
dragging  to  the  wharf.  At  Lampanas'  suggestion  she  concluded 
to  leave  it  where  it  was,  and  she  returned  to  her  house,  with  Lam- 
panas in  company. 

Lampanas  now  made  it  his  business  to  find  out  the  circumstances 
leading  to  the  death  of  the  man  whom  Marie  Lavine  (for  that  was 
the  girl's  name)  had  taken  from  the  house. 

The  information  he  was  enabled  to  gather  was,  that  the  man  had 
been  in  the  habit  of  visiting  houses  of  ill  fame,  and  when  he  visited 
Marie  on  this  occasion,  it  was  ascertained  that  he  had  considerable 
money  in  his  possession ;  and  Marie  determined,  by  some  means,  to 
turn  said  money  to  her  own  account. 

To  accomplish  her  design,  she  managed  to  get  her  victim  to  par- 


J: 


18 


CAREER  OF  CRIME  OF 


take  freely  of  alcoholic  drinks,  and  when  she  had  got  him  in  a  stattf 
of  inebriation,  she  abstracted  the  money  from  his  pocket. 

When  ho  had  slept  off  the  fumes  of  the  liquor,  ho  began  to  feel 
about  him  for  his  property,  and  not  finding  it,  ho  accused  Marie 
of  having  robbed  him.  Marie  denied  the  charge,  and  a  quarrel 
ensued.  lie  seized  her  by  the  throat,  and  swore  that  if  she  did 
not  restore  the  money  ho  would  kill  her. 

Marie  was  not  unprepared  for  self-defence.  When  she  was  as- 
sailed by  the  man,  she  drew  a  dirk  from  her  bosom,  (a  weapon 
which  she  always  carried,)  and  plunged  it  deep  into  the  heart  of 
her  assailant. 

The  man  on  receiving  the  blow  reeled  to  a  settee  on  the  rear 
side  of  the  apartment,  from  Avhich  he  never  again  had  the  strength 
to  rise. 

When  Marie  Lavine  saw  that  he  was  murdered,  she  closed  the 
windows  of  her  house,  and  kept  herself  locked  up  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day.  She  did  not  again  make  her  appearance  un- 
til she  was  observed  by  Lampanas,  as  we  have  already  described. 

After  obtaining  the  above  information,  Lampanas  did  not  hesi- 
tate to  relate  the  circumstances  of  his  own  case. 

The  similarity  of  the  two  cases  naturally  drew  the  two  indivi- 
duals together,  and  they  mutually  resolved  that  henceforth  their 
career  should  be  one. 

It  now  only  remained  to  fix  upon  some  rule  of  action.  After  a 
variety  of  suggestions,  it  was  remembered  that  a  whale-ship  was 
lying  at  the  dock  at  the  North  river,  at  the  foot  of  Fulton  Street, 
the  captain  of  which  was  advertising  for  whale-men. 

Marie  was  in  stature  equal  to  that  of  Lampanas.  It  was  there- 
fore resolved  tliat  Marie  should  dress  herself  in  a  suit  of  Lampa- 
nas' clothes,  and  that  then  both  should  seek  employment  on  board 
the  whale  ship,  which  was  expected  to  clear  from  the  wharf  on  the 
following  morning. 

Lampanas  accordingly  disguised  himself  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
conceal  his  identity,  and  the  next  morning  found  the  pair  at  the 
captain's  office,  oh  board  the  whale  ship  Sally  Powers.  Their  ser- 
vices were  accepted,  and  ere  noon  the  murderer  and  the  murderess 
•were  passing  down  New  York  bay  to  the  wide  expanse  of  the  At- 
lantic. 

Lampanas,  however,  had  no  idea  of  submitting  to  the  dictates 
of  a  captain.    His  design  was,  on  arriving  at  sea,  to  make  himself 


anc 

he 

tJu 


I  !■ 


GEORGE  L.  SHAFTESBURY  AND  MARIE  LA  VINE. 


19 


!    i 


master  of  the  ahip,  and  then  turn  her  to  the  best  account.  Accor- 
dingly, as  soon  as  tliey  were  outside  the  Narrows,  the  intrigue  was 
commenced.  The  crew  were  sounded  on  their  sentiments  of  piracy, 
and  those  sentiments  were  distinctly  noted  by  Lampauas  and  La- 
vine. 

When  the  crew  had  been  fully  sounded,  and  Lampanas  knew  in 
whom  he  could  most  likely  confide,  he  began  to  open  his  plans. 

Tliosc  plans  being  sufficiently  concocted,  the  first  object  of  the 
mutineers  was  to  got  possession  of  the  armory,  to  effect  which  it  was 
necessary  that  some  one  connected  with  the  conspiracy  should  pos- 
sess himself  of  the  key.  This  duty  was  assigned  to  the  second  mate 
of  the  vessel,  who  manifested  himself  one  of  the  most  willing  mem- 
bers of  the  gang. 

lie  a<;cordingly  suggested  to  the  captain  the  propriety  of  keep- 
ing the  muskets  kc.  in  proper  condition  for  use,  in  case  they  should 
find  it  necessary  on  any  occasion  to  resort  to  them  for  defence. 

Tiie  captain  admitted  the  propriety  of  the  suggestion,  and  at  the 
solicitation  of  the  second  mate  consented  that  the  arms  should  be 
inspected  and  cleaned  up.  The  key  was  therefore  delivered  to  the 
coiis|)irators,  with  orders  to  examine  the  weapons  and  put  them  in 
pifiper  order — the  captain  very  naturally  thinking  the  present  to 
be  the  most  suitable  time  for  attending  to  business  of  that  nature, 
ns  the  leisure  time  was  greater  than  it  would  be  after  they  should 
arrive  a*  the  theatre  of  their  operations. 

The  second  mate  proceeded,  therefore,  to  inspect  the  gun  room, 
and  taking  such  weaj)uns  as  were  sufficient  to  arm  the  mutineers, 
he  passed  them  to  his  accomplices,  with  the  significant  orders  that 
they  should  be  properly  cleaned. 

The  door  of  the  gun  room  was  then  made  secure,  and  the  muti- 
neers asseniblod  forward  under  the  pretence  of  executing  their  or- 
ders. The  guns  were  immediately  charged  and  primed,  the  cut- 
lasses girt  to  the  waist,  and  the  pistols  inserted  into  the  belt. 

The  second  mate  now  contrived  to  send  a  great  portion  of  tho 
crew  who  were  not  engaged  in  the  conspiracy,  on  some  errand  be- 
low. The  mutineers  then  walked  deliberately  aft  in  a  body  to  the 
quarter  deck,  where  the  captain  and  first  mate  happened  to  be  at 
that  moment, — the  captain  promenading  the  deck,  and  the  mate 
looking  intently  to  the  windward, — neither  of  them,  up  to  that  mo- 
ment, suspecting  but  that  all  was  right.  A  volley  from  the  muti- 
neers sent  them  both  into  eternity. 


20 


CAREER  OF  CRIME  OF 


The  remainder  of  the  crew  were  now  alarmed  at  the  report  of  the 
musketry,  and  simultaneously  they  hastened  upon  deck — but  be- 
fore they  could  concert  any  mode  of  action  the  mutineers  had  re- 
loaded their  weapons,  and  were  prepared  for  any  movement  which 
might  take  place.  Each  party  stood  for  awhile  gazing  at  the  other 
in  silence.  The  mutineers  were  well  armed,  and  outnumbered  the 
other  portion  of  the  crew, — besides,  the  now  only  surviving  officer, 
the  second  mate,  was  among  them. 

Presently  the  second  mate  turned  to  Lampanas  with  an  inquiring 
look,  and  the  latter,  immediately  stepping  forward  towards  the  un- 
armed portion  of  the  crew,  addressed  them  to  this  effect : 

"  Shipmates,  you  see  that  your  captain  and  mate  have  paid  the 
last  debt  of  nature.  You  sec  also  that  we  are  armed,  and  that  wo 
outnumber  you.  We  will  give  you  five  minutes  to  decided  whether 
you  will  join  our  party,  or  whether  you  will  compel  us  to  send  you 
on  the  journey  which  your  captain  and  mate  have  just  taken." 

A  consultation  was  immediately  held  by  the  unarmed  portion  of 
the  crew,  but  at  the  expiration  of  the  five  minutes  assigned  there 
did  not  seem  to  be  a  unanimity  of  opinion.  Some  were  for  re- 
sisting at  all  hazards,  others  thought  that  prudence  dictated  that 
they  should  join  the  mutineers  till  a  favourable  opportunity  of  es- 
cape might  offer, — while  the  remainder  could  form  no  conclusive 
sentiment. 

When  the  allotted  time  had  expired,  Lampanas  again  stepped 
forward,  and  ordered  such  as  were  willing  to  join  them  to  move  to 
the  right, — upon  which  order  the  m- jority  moved  as  directed.  He 
then  ordered  a  plank  to  be  extended  over  the  gunnel,  and  one  by 
one  those  who  were  unwilling  to  unite  with  them  were  compelled  to 
walk  the  narrow  path,  and  make  their  debut  among  the  inhabitants 
of  the  deep, — Lampanas  alleging  this  to  be  the  most  economical 
way  of  disposing  of  them,  as  it  was  prudent  to  save  the  ammuni- 
tion,— and  also,  when  people  were  drowned  there  was  no  blood 
shed. 

Having  cleared  the  ship  of  all  except  his  own  party,  Lampanas 
a^ain  addressed  them : 

"  Shipmates,  we  have  sent  to  the  lower  locker  the  cowards  who 
■were  willing  to  oppose  our  liberty ;  I  am  now  your  captain,  and 
you  will  be  guided  by  me.     I  appoint  John  Shepard  my  first  mate." 

{Here  the  reader  should  be  apprized  that  ^^John  Shepard"  wa» 
the  assumed  cognomen  of  Marie  Lavine.) 


a"'n.T.GE  L.  SHAFTESBURY  AND  MARIE  LAViyE. 


21 


of  tlie 
ut  be- 
ad re- 
which 
D  otlier 
•cil  the 
officer, 

quiring 
the  un- 

)aid  the 
that  wo 
whether 
end  you 
en. 

»rtion  of 
cd  there 
J  for  re- 
ited  that 
ty  of  ea- 
jnclusive 

stepped 
(  move  to 
ted.  He 
1  one  by 
ipcUed  to 
habitants 
:onomical 
I  amrauni- 

no  blood 

jampanas 

(vards  "who 
)tain,  and 
rst  mate." 
ard"  wa» 


"k 


m 


On  hcnrinf»  this  short  address  from  Lampnnsis,  the  crew  were 
convinced,  by  hia  cnergotio  niuiUK'r,  that  his  pusition  was  not  to  bo 
disputed. 

Lampanas  therefore  took  command  of  the  ship,  with  Marie  La- 
vine  as  ]m  second  mate. — Marie  Lavine,  now  Mr.  tShvp<inL 

The  first  object  of  the  pirates  on  obtniniu};  possession  of  the  ves- 
sel was,  to  nscertaiu  what  amount  of  vahiables  were  on  Ijoard.  On 
searching  the  cabins,  it  was  ascertained  that  there  were  only  about 
five  hundred  dollars  in  gold,  wliicli  the  Captain  had  bronglit  on 
board  for  his  own  private  use.  His  gold  watch  was  valued  at  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  A  watch  was  also  taken  from  the 
pocket  «)f  the  mate,  valued  at  about  one  hundred  dolbir.^. 

Tlie  object  of  Lampanas  on  this  occasion  was  not  the  booty  which 
he  expected  to  obtain,  so  much  as  to  free  liimself  from  the  restraint 
in  which  ho  was  placed, — and,  to  change  the  destination  of  the 
voyage.  The  vessel  contained  nothing  further  tlian  that  already 
discovered,  except  the  clothing  which  had  been  laid  in  store  for  the 
sailors,  and  the  ordinary  ship  provisions. 

It  was  now  necessary  to  determine  the  future  course  to  bo  pur- 
sued.    Accordingly,  Lampanas  summoned  hisi'rew  for  a  council. 

After  considerable  deliberation  it  was  decided  that  the  ship  Ava3 
entirely  too  clumsy  for  piratical  purposes,  and  that  the  best  policy 
would  he  to  run  her  sufficiently  near  the  coast  to  enable  the  crew 
to  disembark  with  safety,  scuttle  her,  and  leave  her  to  her  fate. 

The  next  important  point  was,  the  part  of  the  coast  to  be  ap- 
proached. It  was  finally  concluded  that  the  banks  of  Newfound- 
land should  be  the  point  of  destination,  and  the  ship  was  kept  away 
in  that  direction. 

It  was  the  opinion  that  the  crew  could  easily  pass  themselves  off 
as  fishermen  on  arriving  at  the  island  of  Newfoundland,  and  by  re- 
presenting themselves  as  having  lost  their  vessel  by  shipwreck,  re- 
move all  suspicion  which  might  be  attached  to  them. 

AVhen  they  arrived  within  sight  of  the  Banks,  the  destruction  of 
the  ship  was  immediately  attended  to.  Each  man  took  as  much 
of  the  clothing  which  was  on  board  as  suited  his  purposes ;  a  scanty 
supply  of  provisions  was  lowered  into  the  long  boat,  and  then  the 
work  of  scuttling  commenced.  Several  planks  were  started  from 
the  bottom,  the  masts  w^re  cut  away,  and  every  thing  done  to  give 
the  vessel  the  appearance  of  a  perfect  wreck, — nor  did  they  leave 
her  until  she  was  well  settled  beneath  the  water. 


22 


CAREER  OF  CRIME  OF 


The  wliolc  crow  were  now  embarked  on  board  the  long  boat,  and 
pursued,  or  rather  continued,  their  course  to  the  island  for  which 
they  had  ..set  out. 

Having  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Newfoundland,  the  pirates  sepa- 
rated, each  to  take  care  of  himself,  except  Lanipanas  and  Marie,  who 
still  adhered  to  each  other  —  Lampanas  being  the  only  one  who 
knew  tlie  sex  of  his  mate. 

Lampanas  and  his  consort  immediately  betook  themselves  to  tho 
town  of  St.  Johns,  on  the  south-eastern  part  of  the  island.  Hero 
thev  sustained  themselves  for  awhile  on  the  small  amount  of  funds 
wliicli  they  had  bronglit  from  New  York,  in  connexion  with  what 
they  had  obtained  frum  the  whaleman.  Jiut  these  funds  at  length 
began  to  grow  short:  it  was  therefore  necessary  for  them  to  look 
about  them  and  fix  upon  some  method  for  their  support. 

The  most  feasible  project  was  that  of  a  gambling  house. 

St.  Johns  is  a  great  resort  of  fishermen  from  the  vessels  which 
frequent  tlic  Banks.  Many  of  these  fishermen  are  fond  of  tippling, 
gaming,  and  carousing. 

Lampanas  rightly  thought  tliat  he  might  reap  a  rich  harvest  by 
preying  upon  them.  Ho  rented  a  suitable  tenement,  in  which  ho 
was  soon  installed  as  landlord. 

Marie  took  charge  of  the  domestic  concerns,  and  thus  was  esta- 
bli.shed  one  of  the  mo.st  damnable  hells  in  the  city.  > 

An  apology  for  licpior  was  dealt  out  at  three  cents  per  glass, 
and  when  a  customer  happened  to  be  out  of  change  he  received  a 
horn  gratis. 

The  hospitality  of  the  new  host,  and  the  beauty  of  the  new  host- 
ess, were  the  prominent  subjects  of  comment  among  the  fisher- 
men. All  resorted  to  the  now  porter  house,  and  the  health  of  La- 
vine  was  drunk  in  many  a  bumper. 

A  private  room  was  sot  apart  for  the  purpose  of  gambling,  which 
soon  became  not  only  the  resort  of  the  common  sailors,  but  that 
of  the  captains  and  the  most  distinguished  individuals  of  the  town. 
No  one  could  resist  an  invitation  from  Lampanas  to  pay  him  a  vi- 
sit,— an  invitation  which  he  always  gave  in  so  bland  and  afi'able  a 
manner. 

Millions  were  bet,  lost,  and  won,  at  his  tables. 

Things  were  going  on  swimmingly,  and  little  occurred  to  mar 
the  happiness  of  Lampanas,  except  occasional  apprehensions  that 
he  miglit  be  discovered  by  some  one  sent  in  search  of  him  for  the 


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mnrtlor  of  his  mother  and  rtinter.  ]U',  hail,  however,  jio  loul  ciiiiso 
for  four.  Tho  sorvantH  of  his  father,  .  luii  they  loft  him  in  the 
tniddlo  of  the  river,  and  relinquished  (lie  [Hirsuit,  were  coiifidoiit 
that  he  had  {.'one  to  the  hottoni.  ;uid  no  fulurc  tidinL'^t  of  hin\ 
having  hoen  ohtiiined,  it  was  aeeeded  on  iill  hands  thui  lie  nm.st 
have  drowiietl,  either  accidentally  or  doHignodly.  Pursuit,  thorc- 
foro,  had  heen  stayed. 

Whenever  a  *'  Fat  Fish"  presented  himself  nf  tho  "New  Porter 
Hoine,"  the  landlord  was  always  on  hand  to  obtain  a  share  of  tlio 
sj)oils.  In  fact,  he  couhl  hardly  he  excused  from  the  taldc  on  .such 
occasions,  as  his  suavity  of  disposition,  his  gentlemanly  deportnu'Ut, 
his  nice  sense  of  honour,  and  his  supposed  incapacity  of  coniniitting 
a  frauil,  rendered  his  presence  very  dcsirahle. 

Many  was  tho  man  who  eiiteiiil  tlmt  house  with  pockets  well 
filled,  that  was  obliged  to  depart  with  (duntcnancc  wo-begnne  and 
fallen.  Yet  "it  was  all  luck,  that  landlord  was  such  a  lucky 
chap."  IJesides,  his  was  always  the  parting  treat ;  and  then  there 
was  always  such  a  polite  assurance  that  he  should  be  happy  to  sec 
them  again. 

Fathers  were  robbed  of  their  earnings,  and  mothers  and  children 
deprived  of  the  necessary  means  of  s>d)sistence. 

On  one  occasion  a  seaman  having  a  family  at  St.  Johns  was  dis- 
charged from  his  vessel  with  the  sum  r)f  one  hundred  dollars.  He 
imuiediately, repaired  to  tho  "Now  Porter  House,"  and  in  a  few 
hours  ho  was  minus  the  whole. 

The  destitution  of  the  wife  caused  her  to  prefer  a  chnrge  to  tho 
police,  and  the  matter  was  immediately  taken  in  hand.  The  cha- 
racter of  the  house  was  inquired  into,  and  the  ganil)lers  were  routed. 
To  make  sure  that  there  was  no  mistake  in  the  matter,  several  po- 
lice officers  entered  the  house  in  the  disguise  of  gamblers,  and 
when  the  company  had  assembled,  and  the  games  were  in  full  ope- 
ration, they  discovered  themsclTCS  and  made  several  arrests. 

Lampanas  jumped  from  the  second  story  window,  and  Lavino 
scaled  the  wall  from  the  back  yard.  Thus  ended  tho  "  New  I'orter 
House." 

The  ^Hrt/ result  was,  that  Lampanas  and  Lavino  found  it  rather 
expedient  for  themselves  to  leave  the  place  with  all  possiI)lo  speed. 
They  took  passage  on  board  the  schooner  Anthony,  which  was  then 
about  clearing  for  Quebec.  Nothing  of  note  occurred  during  the 
passage  to  Quebec,  and  immediately  on  the  arrival  they  took  pas- 


w    ' 


26 


CAREER  OF  CRIME  OF 


"i 


Bage  on  board  the  steamci'  Emma  Sands,  for  Montreal.  The  pas- 
sage to  Montreal  was  perfectly  quiet,  and  our  pair  of  young  refu- 
gees soon  found  themselves  in  the  heart  of  that  city,  each  dressed 
in  the  masculine  attire. 

Geor<re  and  Marie  concluded  it  best  not  to  wait  for  another  ex- 
haustion  of  funds  before  commencing  business.  The  finale  to  the 
affair  in  Newfoundland  having  been  so  disastrous  they  resolved  to 
change  their  profession.  The  proximity  to  the  line  between  Ca- 
nada and  the  United  States  opened  a  new  field  for  their  operations. 
The  constant  importation  of  ponies  from  Canada  into  the  United 
States,  induced  them  to  enter  into  the  horse  trade,  and  in  order  to 
advance  their  interest,  they  deemed  it  proper  to  change  their  cha- 
racters, that  is,  transform  themselves  from  male  into  female.  The 
day  after  the  formation  of  this  resolution  was  spent  in  making  ar- 
rangements to  carry  it  into  effect.  Female  dresses,  and  all  the  pa- 
raphanalia  of  a  female  wardrobe  were  obtained.  Being  thus  pro- 
pared,  they  took  leave  of  the  boarding  house  which  they  obtained 
on  their  arrival  in  the  city,  and  established  themselves,  or,  ra- 
ther, took  rooms  at  the  Hotel  de  Pierre.  At  this  place  they  ap- 
peared as  females,  the  male  attire  being  reserved  to  be  used  on 
suitable  occasions. 

It  was  resolved  that  Lavine  should  procure  the  horses,  and  that 
Lampana;^  should  dispose  of  them, — and  that  they  might  the  more 
securely  screen  themselves  from  detection,  they  also  resolved  to 
have  no  accomplices.  Lavine,  whenever  engaged  in  collecting 
horses,  was  to  assume  tlie  character  of  a  man,  and  on  other  occa- 
sions to  return  to  her  female  garb.  Lampanas,  owing  to  the  cir- 
cumstance that  he  was  somewhat  known  at  New  York,  (the  design-  ' 
ed  mart  for  the  horses,)  was  in  all  cases  to  assume  the  character 
of  a  woman,  and  when  travelling  with,  or  selling  horses,  to  be  ac- 
companied by  a  trusty  servant,  who  should  transact  the  business 
according  to  the  direction  of  Lampanas.  This  .servant  was  not  to 
be  iu  attendance  at  the  residence  of  Lampanas,  as  it  was  desirable 
r.ot  to  let  him  into  the  secret  proceedings.  He  was  to  bo  under 
constant  pay,  but  to  reside  in  a  different  section  of  the  city,  and 
when  his  services  were  wanted  to  be  sent  for. 

The  plan  being   matured,  operations  were   immediately  com- 
menced. 

Lavine,  accoutred  in  male  attire,  set  out  on  her  first  journey  of 
exploration,  and  Lampanas  procured  a  private  stable  for  the  recep- 


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81 


GEORGE  L.  SHAFTESBURY  AND  MARIE  LAVINE. 


27 


I 


tion  of  such  ponies  as  she  might  bring  in.  Lavine,  on  leaving 
Montreal,  travelled  in  a  westerly  direction  as  far  as  Bytown,  making 
such  observations  on  the  road  as  were  necessary  to  insure  success 
on  her  return.  On  her  first  excursion  she  returned  with  six  horses, 
having  met  with  opposition  only  in  the  taking  of  one  of  them. 
Her  plan,  when  she  took  possession  of  a  horse,  was,  before  re- 
moving him  from  the  stable,  to  rub  him  thoroughly  witli  a  prepa- 
tion  similar  to  the  East  India  hair  dye,  which  preparation  had  the 
effect  of  immediately  changing  the  colour,  so  that  the  owner  could 
not  possibly  recognise  him.  With  the  horse  coloured,  the  only  re- 
maining thing  essential  to  safety  was  the  removing  of  him  from 
the  stable  without  interruption. 

The  one  case  in  wliich  Lavine  met  with  opposition,  was  that  re- 
ceived from  a  farmer  who  happened  to  return  from  a  journey  just 
as  she  was  in  the  act  of  committing  the  theft. 

The  farmer  did  not  hesitate  to  assault  the  thief,  and  he  seized 
her  by  the  collar  for  the  purpose  of  securing  her. 

Lavine  remonstrated  \ith  him,  told  him  that  she  was  a  traveller, 
that  slie  had  stopped  for  the  purpose  of  passing  the  night,  and  that 
she  was  then  in  the  act  of  taking  care  of  her  own  horse. 

This  remonstrance  led  the  farmer  to  apologise,  and  not  recog- 
nising the  horse  with  which  Lavine  was  eiiKajjed  as  belonijinji  to 
himself,  he  asked  her  forgiveness,  and  begged  that  she  would  re- 
main and  partake  his  of  hospitality. 

Lavine  feigned  to  be  offended  at  the  treatment  she  had  received. 
She  swore  that  she  would  not  allow  herself  to  be  thus  insulted,  and 
leading  the  horse  from  the  stable,  left  the  old  man  to  himself. 

The  most  of  the  owners  \vho  lost  their  horses  followed  on  her 
trail,  overtook,  and  conversed  with  her.  But  the  frankness  of  her 
manner,  and  tlio  impossibility  of  identifying  the  animals,  placed 
her  beyond  suspicion. 

The  horses  on  being  received  by  Lampanas,  were  cropped,  docked, 
and  trimmed,  in  a  sucli  a  way  that  even  after  the  colouring  began 
,  to  fade  they  could  not  be  recognised.  The  animals  after  being 
rightly  prepared,  were  taken  by  Lampanas  (dressed  in  his  female 
attire,  and  accompanied  by  his  servant)  to  the  Bull's  Head,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  at  which  place  they  were  sold. 

Lampanas  and  Lavine  conducted  the  business  of  horse  stealing 
successfully  for  about  the  space  of  one  year,  when  it  was  termi- 
nated by  the  following  circumstance. 


:  i 


28 


CAREER  OF  CRIME  OF 


Lavinc  had  been  confincJ  for  some  little  time  to  the  house  by 
sickness,  and  therefore  excursions  into  tho  country  had  been  ne- 
cessarily delayed.  This  suspension  of  business  caused  the  pockets 
of  Liunpanas  (to  use  his  own  expression)  to  be  "rather  too  exten- 
sively occupied  by  emptiness."  He  therefore  concluded  it  would 
not  bo  amiss  to  commit  a  small  depredation  in  town. 

Being  familiar  with  the  premises  of  one  of  the  neighbours  who 
owned  a  fine  pony,  he  thought  it  prudent  to  makethe  animal  avail- 
able to  himself. 

Acting  in  accordance  with  these  sentiments,  he  one  night  ma- 
naged to  enter  the  stable,  and  commenced  the  operation  of  colour- 
ing. 

It  clianccd  that  the  stable  was  so  situated  that  the  owner  could  ' 
see  the  door  from  his  bed  room  window,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
attempt  at  robbery  was  made,  although  past  the  hour  of  twelve, 
and  the  night  dark,  ho  thought  he  indistinctly  saw  the  stable  door 
open  and  a  man  enter.  To  make  sure,  he  slipped  on  a  pair  of 
gum  shoes,  wont  quietly  down  stairs,  and  cautiously  approached 
the  place. 

On  ascertaining  that  the  door  was  open  he  did  not  enter,  but 
■went  immediately  in  search  of  an  officer.  Having  found  a  watch- 
man, ho  related  the  circumstance,  and  retracing  his  steps  in  com- 
pany with  the  watch,  tliey  entered  the  stable  together. 

The  sudden  appearance  of  the  two  men  surprised  Lampanas,  and 
they  themselves  were  no  loss  surprised  to  find  what  they  supposed 
to  bo  a  woman  engngod  in  rubbing  the  horse. 

The  apology  of  Lampanas  not  being  satisfactory,  he  was  taken 
into  custody.  ■• 

On  the  next  morning  Lampanas  was  arraigned  before  a  magis- 
trate for  examination.  During  the  examination  his  sex  was  dis- 
covered, and  alth(jugh  nothing  could  be  elicited  which  went  to 
prove  that  ho  intended  to  steal  the  horse,  yet  on  account  of  the 
mystery  of  his  having  assumed  the  disguise  of  a  female,  he  was 
dotuiiiod  until  further  iiu^uiry  could  be  made.  " 

On  the  same  day  of  his  examination  several  officers  went  to 
search  his  rooms  at  the  hotel,  but  they  made  no  discoveries  tending 
ti>  ]\'.a  further  crimination. 

After  having  l)oon  detained  for  the  space  of  two  or  three  weeks, 
and  no  further  evidence  appearing  against  him,  it  was  concluded 
on  the  part  of  the  magistrates  that  it  had  only  been  his  design  to 


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GEORGE  X.  SHAFTESBURY  AND  MARIE  LA  VINE. 


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play  off  a  trick  on  the  owner  of  the  pony,  by  changing  the  animal's 
colour. 

Lampanas  therefore  received  a  severe  reprimand  on  the  impro- 
priety of  engaging  in  such  matters,  and  he  was  also  told  that  for 
the  future  he  would  find  it  to  his  welfare  to  assume  the  garb  be- 
longing to  his  sex.  With  this  reprimand  and  injunction  he  was 
dismissed  to  concert  measures  for  the  future. 

It  was  impossible  for  Lampanas  longer  to  continue  his  disguise 
in  the  town  of  Montreal.  It  became,  therefore,  a  matter  of  neces- 
sity that  his  theatre  of  action  should  be  changed. 

A  consultation  was  therefore  again  held  between  himself  and 
Lavine.  Quebec  was  considered  the  most  eligible  place  for  future 
operations,  and  thither  our  couple  repaired  without  delay. 

In  that  part  of  the  city  of  Quebec  called  the  Upper  Town,  stood 
the  mansion  which  had  recently  been  occupied  by  the  Amel  family. 
This  family  consisted  of  Lord  and  Lady  Amel,  their  two  sons  and 
three  (laughters.  It  was  known  through  the  town  that  this  family 
was  pos.se.ssed  of  immense  wealth.  In  fact.  Lord  Amel  was  consi- 
dered the  most  wealthy  citizen  of  the  place.  lie  had  established 
a  bank  of  his  own,  and  his  banking  office  was  located  in  one  part 
of  the  mansion. 

Liiuipaiias  and  Lavine,  on  arriving  in  town,  soon  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  circumstances  of  this  family.  They  therefore 
resolved,  that  by  one  bold  stroke  they  would  place  themselves  above 
want,  and  then  retire  from  the  world. 

It  was  resolved,  also,  that  they  should  make  themselves  ac- 
quainted with  the  private  affairs  of  Lord  Amel,  by  introducing 
themselves  into  his  family  as  servants.  After  repeated  applica- 
tions and  solicitations,  Lavine  was  finally  admitted. 

It  is  perhaps  necessary  for  us  to  mention,  that  in  Quebec  Lam- 
panas and  Lavine  had  concluded  to  pass  for  man  and  wife. 

Lavine  was  therefore  admitted  as  a  female  servant  into  the  fa- 
mily of  Lord  Amel.  Iler  husband  claimed  the  privilege  of  visiting 
her,  as  a  matter  of  course.  In  short,  the  house  of  Lord  Amel 
soon  became  almost  as  much  the  home  of  Lampanas  as  it  was  that 
of  Lavine. 

No  opportunity  was  omitted  on  the  part  of  Lampanas  and  La- 
vine of  becoming  thoroughly  acquainted  with  every  part  of  the 
mansion,  and  with  the  vaults  of  the  bank,  and  the  passages  leading 
thereto. 


te 


CAREER  OF  CRIME  OF 


When  they  considered  the  necessary  information  to  be  obtained, 
they  prepared  to  bring  matters  to  a  close. 

The  plan  adopted  to  finish  their  scheme  was  this :  That  they 
should  murder  the  fiimily,  remove  the  treasure  from  the  bank,  ap- 
ply the  incendiary  torch,  and  leave  the  country  for  ever;  and,  as 
Lampanas  could  not  consider  himself  entirely  safe  in  the  United 
States,  it  was  determined  that  the  Atlantic  should  separate  them 
from  the  scene  of  their  final  act  of  villainy. 

Prudence  dictated  that  they  should  be  in  no  haste  to  leave  Que- 
bec after  the  commission  of  the  deed,  as  a  precipitate  flight  would 
inevitably  lead  to  suspicion.  No  provision  was  therefore  taken  to 
secure  a  passage  across  the  ocean. 

Such  was  the  plan  fixed  upon  by  John  and  Mary  Stuart,  the 
names  which  Lampanas  and  Lavine  had  assumed  in  Quebec.  The 
night  of  the  3d  of  December,  1849,  was  fixed  upon  for  putting  the 
scheme  into  execution. 

On  the  night  of  the  2d  of  December  the  Amel  family  retired  to 
rest,  totally  free  from  the  suspicion  that  any  machinations  had 
been  hatched  against  them.  At  about  two,  or  half-past  two  o'clock, 
Lampanas  and  Lavine  proceeded  to  the  execution  of  the  plot. 
Lampanas  had  determined  not  to  be  foiled  on  this  occasion,  and 
therefore  both  himself  and  Lavine  were  well  armed. 

The  first  chamber  entered  on  this  occasion  was  that  of  Lord 
Amel.  It  was  also  thouglit  expedient  to  dispense  with  the  ^''f/al- 
lantry  of  waltbuj  on  the  Ludj"  Amel  ^^Jirift,"  as  her  husband  might 
prove  the  most  dangerous  in  case  of  accident,  as  had  occurred  in 
the  case  of  Lampanas'  father.  Lavine  applied  the  chloroform,  and 
Lampanas  followed  with  the  bowie.  Lord  and  Lady  Amel  were 
successfully  despatched.  The  sons  then  shared  the  fito  of  their 
parents,  and  the  murder  of  the  daughters  closed  the  scene  of  assas- 
sination. 

The  coin  from  the  bank,  and  the  valuables  from  the  house,  were 
now  removed  to  a  place  prepared  by  Lampanas. 

The  mansion  was  next  closed,  and  the  windows  and  doors  bolted 
and  barred,  so  that  no  ingress  could  be  had  from  without.  A  lot 
of  combustibles  were  then  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  hall,  and  the 
match  applied.  Lampanas  and  Lavine  now  made  their  exit,  care- 
fully securing  the  door  after  them. 

In  about  an  hour  after  the  application  of  the  match,  the  fire  was 
discovered:  the  close  state  of  the  building  not  allowing  the  flames 


GEORGE  L.  SHAFTESBURY  AND  MARIE  LAVINE. 


88 


to  progress  very  rapitUj.  When  the  flames  were  discovered,  the 
alarm  rnii  through  the  city,  and  the  firemen  were  instantly  on  the 
spot.  The  flames  were  soon  extinguished,  but  not  until  the  whole 
interior  of  the  building  was  consumed. 

On  examination  after  the  fire  was  extinguished,  the  remains  of 
human  bodies  were  found  within  the  walls,  and  the  members  of  the 
family  were  all  missing. 

The  police  were  soon  on  the  alert,  and  the  keen  eye  of  justice 
was  searching  every  corner  of  the  city.  No  surviving  members  of 
the  family  could  be  found,  and  no  former  inmate  of  the  house,  ex- 
cept the  servants.  These  were  exainiuod,  but  as  none  of  them 
had  been  accustomed  to  sleep  in  the  mansion,  except  Mrs.  Stuart, 
and  she  not  having  been  found,  no  information  could  bo  elicited. 

Lampaii;!.;  and  Lavine  had  changeil  dresses,  thereby  changing 
their  appearance  in  such  a  manner  that  they  could  not  be  recog- 
iiisod.     For  some  days  they  thus  lived  secure  from  apprehension. 

It  being  sufliciently  evident  that  robbery,  arson,  and  murder, 
had  boon  committed  in  this  case,  and  on  so  distinguished  a  family, 
every  good  citizen,  independent  of  the  police,  took  it  upon  him- 
self as  a  matter  of  duty  to  be  on  the  keenest  look-out. 

One  day  Lampanas  went  into  the  street  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
curing some  milk,  inadvertently  taking  with  him  one  of  the  small 
.silver  pitchers  formerly  used  at  the  mansion.  Tiie  milkmnn  noticed 
tlie  pitelior,  and  thought  it  did  not  precisely  accord  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  dwelling  from  which  Lampanas  came.  The  cir- 
cumstance was  mentioned  to  one  of  the  police,  and  a  search  was 
immediately  instituted.  One  or  two  articles  were  discovered  bear- 
ing the  name  of  Aujel.  Lampanas  and  Lavine  were  consequently 
arretted,  and  it  was  ascertained  that  neither  was  dressed  in  the 
appropriate  garb  of  the  sex.  They  were  compelled  to  exchange 
dresses,  and  lo!  they  were  immediately  recognised  as  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stuart. 

*'  The  murder  was  out,"  and  Lampanas  and  Lavine  were  fully 
committed. 

The  prisoners  were  manacied  and  placed  in  the  cavriage  with 
the  officers,  who  conducted  ( hem  to  jail. 

Not  a  word  was  exchanged  between  the  prisoners  and  the  offi- 
cers as  they  passed  along,  until  Lampanas,  suddenly  raising  his 
fettered  hands,  exclaimed,  "See!  see!" 

"  See  what  ?"  inquired  the  officer. 


84 


CARBGK  OF  CRIME  OP 


i 


"The  steed  !  the  steed  !"  again  exclaimed  Lampanns. 

It  appeared  that  the  imagination  of  the  prisoner  had  conjured 
up  to  him  a  fiery  bhick  steed,  harnessed  in  front  of  those  attached 
to  the  carriage,  rearing,  plunging,  and  exerting  himself  to  the  ut- 
most to  hasten  them  forward  to  their  destination. 

It  may  be  well  here  to  remark,  that  Lampanas  in  his  disordered 
imagination  supposed  the  black  steed  to  be  the  shape  assumed  by 
the  EVIL  ONE,  who  had  thus  como  to  give  him  personal  attend- 
ance. 

At  the  next  session  of  the  Court  the  two  prisoners  were  indicted, 
convicted,  and  sentenced. 

During  their  incarceration  wc  had  frequent  conversations  with 
them  in  their  cells,  and  from  Lampanas  the  substance  of  what  wo 
have  related  was  obtained. 

The  7th  day  of  June,  1850,  was  fixed  upon  for  the  day  of  exe- 
cution. 

On  the  day  preceding  the  execution,  we  entered  the  cell  of  Lam- 
panas for  the  purpose  of  making  a  final  effort  to  cause  him  to  real- 
ize the  peril  of  his  condition,  and,  if  possible,  to  bring  him  to  re- 
pentance. 

To  all  our  entreaties,  the  only  reply  which  he  made  was — "  The 
black  steed !  the  black  steed !" 

The  phantom  of  the  black  steed  had  not  left  his  imagination, 
and  he  considered  it  a  sure  omen  of  his  destruction. 

We  were  present  at  the  execution,  —  and  as  we  saw  them  strug- 
gling in  their  last  agonies,  the  following  lines  suggested  themselves 
to  our  mind : 


Dark  and  foul  were  the  deeds  they  did, 
The  couple  there  suspended— 
The  only  son  of  a  nohle  sire, 
Tn  have  his  life  thus  ended  ! 
That  sire  in  sorrow  now  is  sunk, 
Nor  joy  to  him  is  returning. 
He  weeps  in  prayer  for  the  wilful  son, 
Whose  spark  has  ceased  the  burning. 
May  God  have  merry  on  the  youth, 
Whose  bloody  hand  was  uplifted, 
Atrainst  the  Amel  and  Shaftesbury  Iiouae, 
The  noble  and  the  gifted. 


CONCLUSION. 


We  cannot  bring  our  subject  to  a  close  without  saying  a  word  by 
way  of  admonition  to  the  young. 

Our  youthful  readers  will  notice  that  Lampanas,  one  of  the  sub- 
jects of  the  foregoing  narrative,  was  brought  into  this  world  under 
the  most  favourable  circumstances.  His  family  was  of  the  first 
standing,  and  his  parents  were  both  possessed  of  the  kindest  dis- 
positions, lie  had  wealth  and  every  thing  at  his  command — every 
comfort  which  this  earth  affords — and  yet  we  see  that  he  ended  his 
days  upon  the  scaffold. 

Reflect,  my  young  readers,  that  his  ignominious  death  was  the 
result  of  adhering  to  the  paths  of  vice,  and  totally  deserting  those 
of  virtue.  Had  he  given  ear  to  the  admonitions  of  his  parents,  or 
listened  to  the  dictates  of  conscience — or  had  he  listened  to  the 
teachings  of  Divine  wisdom,  how  different  would  have  been  his 
life !  how  different  would  have  been  his  death !  His  friends,  under 
those  circumstances,  would  have  mourned  his  loss,  instead  of  now 
having  tu  mourn  his  dissolute  life,  and  his  ignominious  death. 

Marie  Lavine,  also,  becomes  a  subject  for  the  hangman.  How 
solemn,  how  awful  the  scene,  when  we  behold  one  of  the  softer  sex 
terminating  her  career  in  such  a  manner ! 

We  have  omitted  to  mention  the  origin  of  this  female,  it  being 
of  no  material  import  to  our  narrative.  She  was  of  French  des- 
cent, born  of  respectable  parents,  possessing  beauty,  education, 
and  wit,  and  all  those  requisites  which  were  necessary  to  make  her 
happy.  In  an  evil  hour  she  listened  to  the  tale  of  the  seducer, 
and  then  that  brightest  gem  of  the  female  character — virtue — was 
no  more. 

Her  fate  should  operate  as  a  warning  to  the  bright  and  bloom- 
ing of  her  sex.  Listen  not  to  the  whisperings  of  the  flatterer,  but 
rtmember,  that  one  slip,  and  you  affix  a  stain  which  time  cannot 


86 


CAREER  OF  CRIME. 


efface.  Malic  it  a  euKtom  to  kneel  daily  in  lmnil)lc  siipplieation  to 
tliiit  IJelu^  who  is  altlo  to  protect  you.  botli  now  and  for  ever. 

In  cGiicluHion,  we  would  remind  the  youth  of  both  sexes,  that, 
had  Lampanas  mid  Lavine  lived  a  life  of  honesty  and  integrity, 
they  wouM  have  Itceu  happy  in  this  world,  and  departed  jienco 
■with  the  prospect  of  a  happy  eternity. 

lleuiember,  that  vice  can  only  lead  to  presont  and  eternal  mi- 
sery,— that,  althowi^h  the  forhidileii  fruit  may  he  sweet  to  the 
tubtc,  to  partake  tiiereof  is  the  precursor  of  eternal  death. 


THE  END 


jf-t: 


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Z.    *! 


«    * 


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